Page 84 of Leila’s Legacy

The comfort of that thought relaxed him, even as a withered old woman with white-gray hair approached him. Isla crinkled her amber eyes at him, studying his face. “If this is yer Lion, I hope he’s bonny under all that bruising. Especially since he’s caused ye a lifetime of trouble.” She jerked her head to the side. “Get on the pallet.”

Leila indicated a raised pallet next to a table full of bottles and Niall obediently climbed onto it. His head ached and his leg thrummed with pain, but at least he knew he’d live. Somehow, some way, he’d figure out a life with Leila where he could support her.

“I’d like to stay.” Leila folded her hand into Niall’s. “To help.”

Isla appeared over Niall. Her lips pulled back in a grimace as she looked over him, revealing her brilliantly white, perfect teeth. “Ach, look at this leg.”

She prodded at him with her bony fingers and brilliant pain seared through his wound. He ground his teeth against one another rather than cry out.

Isla tsked. “’Tis filthy and angry and will need to be cleaned before I can stitch it.”

Leila tightened her grip on Niall’s hand. “You know I’m strong enough to stay.”

“Ye give him some of the resting tonic,” Isla said. “Then be on yer way so I can see to him properly. I’ll no’ have ye fretting about around me.”

“Resting tonic?” Niall asked.

Leila left for a moment then returned and pushed a small cup into his hand. “It’ll put you out of your senses, so you don’t feel all the pain. Isla recently concocted it and it appears to be quite effective.”

Niall sniffed it and wished he hadn’t. “What’s in it?”

Isla set her fingertips to the underside of the cup and tipped it upward. “A bit o’ this, a bit o’ that.”

He held his breath and tossed it back. It was a bitter brew indeed. The terrible taste clung to his tongue and stung his eyes. He choked, his body wincing with each flex of his muscles. Dear God, his back ached. “What was in that?” he gasped.

Leila took the cup from him, looked in it and nodded at Isla.

“Fine,” Isla conceded. “Hemlock, opium, vinegar and a bit of heifer’s piss.”

Niall sputtered.

“I made this last bottle last month,” Leila whispered. “Without the heifer’s piss.”

“Bah! Ye dinna appreciate the benefits of a fine blending of piss in a tonic.” Isla waved dismissively, clearly having overheard. “Off with ye now. Ye know how nasty tending to a hot wound can be.”

Leila rested a hand gently on his shoulder. “Please, Isla.”

“I’m no’ giving ye a choice.” Isla pointed to Niall. “Look at him, he doesna care a whit anyway.”

Leila and Isla both peered at him. Odd that they would do so together like that. Foolish, really. Almost comical. He’d laugh if he had the energy, but he suddenly found he didn’t possess even the amount to lift his lips. Not that it mattered.

The air rushed into and out of his lungs, a strange sensation when one focused on it. Especially when one was so tired.

“Off with ye now,” Isla said from the distance. “I’ll summon ye when it’s done.” She approached him and pulled open an eyelid with her cool fingers. Belatedly, he realized it was his bad eye, the one which was nearly swollen shut. “Heifer’s piss would’ve made it work better,” she muttered indignantly. With that, she took a pair of shears and cut away his trews.

He should stop the old woman. He didn’t have another pair of trews with him. But it was more than that. The space beside him was empty without Leila.

“Dinna worry, lad, she’ll be there when ye wake.” Isla nodded her head at him. “Close yer eyes now.” She glanced down at his leg. “Ye dinna want to be awake for this.”

His eyes slipped closed, and he imagined Leila sitting at his side as sleep took him away.

However, when he opened his eyes, it was not Leila sitting beside him, but Lord Werrick. A quick glance around the room confirmed they were alone.

Niall shifted on the small pallet and a twinge of discomfort pinched at his thigh. He looked down to find a swath of linen bound over it.

“I heard it was pretty bad,” Lord Werrick said. “Isla is a strong healer. I am certain you will recover without issue.”

“Did she wash it out with heifer’s piss?” Niall asked.